Twin Cities area horse owners urged to quarantine due to virus outbreak

A small outbreak of a deadly equine virus near the metro area has prompted a call to quarantine all horses for a few weeks, even if they aren't displaying any symptoms of an infection.

Seven horses have displayed symptoms of neurological defects, and four of those tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1, according to Christie Ward, an equine internal medicine specialist at the University of Minnesota.

Three horses have been euthanized. One is recovering. Test results on the others are pending, Ward said.

The first reported case was March 7 at a farm north of Stillwater by the Stillwater Equine Veterinary Clinic, according to Dr. Terry Arnesen of the clinic.

The outbreak so far has remained in a region surrounding the Twin Cities, including Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin and Winona counties and western Wisconsin.

The virus can spread from horse-to-horse contact or on fluids on humans and equipment, Ward said. It seems that barrel racing is the common thread among the seven cases.

"The majority of the horses we've diagnosed have been barrel-racing horses or housed alongside barrel horses," Ward said. "Our best guess is that exposure likely happened at a barrel-racing event."

Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which horses are ridden in a cloverleaf pattern around three large barrels.

Ward and other veterinarians are urging horse owners to keep their animals quarantined and to avoid any travel, even if they have no symptoms and don't barrel race.

Advertisement

The virus is highly contagious and can have debilitating and deadly effects on horses, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Symptoms include fever, weakness, lack of coordination and incontinence.

Early detection and treatment are crucial, Ward said.

She recommends quarantine for 28 to 30 days.

"For the most part, the equine community is embracing this with enthusiasm and with a great sense of responsibility," Ward said. "Most people are very willing to take these recommendations. Many events have been canceled, but not all of them."

Ward said she has reached out to veterinarians across the state and hasn't heard of any additional cases.